Puppet stage

ABSTRACT

A puppet stage comprises a platform having a relatively large aperture therethrough and a multiplicity of support members hingedly joined to the platform at spaced locations on the periphery thereof. The support members are movable between a position parallel to the plane of the platform to a position generally perpendicular thereto, and they are securable in the perpendicular position to support the platform above them.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Mary A. Harper Mansfield, Conn. (Rte.1, Box 183D Storrs, Conn. 06268) [21 1 Appl. No. 743,206

[22] Filed July 8, 1968 [45] Patented Feb.16, 1971 [54] PUPPET STAGE 6Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 272/1; 248/166; 46/13 [51] Int. Cl A63j 19/00 [50] Field ofSearch 272/21, 25,

9,1;46/1(l),13,18,21,19,11,154;206/45.11, 45.17; 248/166, 174, 439;9/224; 229/41(C), 41(D); 312/258, 259, 140.2; 40/126(A) [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/ 1 931 Morin 2,180,691 11/1939 Olivier206/45.17X 2,368,188 l/l945 Wise 46/13 2,620,591 12/1952 Scola 46/11X2,706,592 4/1955 Schaller... 229/4l(C)X 2,925,213 2/1960 Zukoski229/41(C) 3,343,297 9/1967 Valentine 46/21 Primary ExaminerAnton O.Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Arnold W. Kramer Attorney-Peter L. CostasABSTRACT: A puppet stage comprises a platform having a relatively largeaperture therethrough and a multiplicity of support members hingedlyjoined to the platform at spaced locations on the periphery thereof. Thesupport members are movable between a position parallel to the plane ofthe platform to a position generally perpendicular thereto, and they aresecurable in the perpendicular position to support the platform abovethem.

PATENT-ED FEBIBIQYI 3563538 I mvsmoa Z0 Z6 2 MARY A. HMP K PUPPET STAGEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Puppet stage structures are known in the artand are available in a variety of designs and configurations. However,in order to provide the levels of strength and stability ordinarilydesirable in such structures, the prior art stages are often quite heavyand cumbersome and hence inconvenient to store when not in use.Moreover, they are generally not portable or are movable from place toplace only with considerable difficulty ,and inconvenience.

. On the other hand, display-type assemblies are available which arelightweight, very portable and readily stored, but ,these devices arenormally of such light construction that the ,assembled structures tendto be quite flimsy and lacking in the strength necessary for extendeduse. In addition, the prior art structures are frequently expensive as aresult of both material and production costs, and their design oftenmakes use inconyenient or uncomfortable for the operating personnel.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide apuppet stage which is readily portable and which nevertheless providesadequate structural strength to permit ,facile and long lasting use.

I It is also an object to provide such a stage which is lightweight andcollapsible to a relatively small size and which is relativelyinexpensive to manufacture.

A further object is to provide a stage which allows ready entry and exitto the area under the platform and which permits personnel to operatethe puppets with relative comfort and ease.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has now been found that the foregoing andrelated objects .can be readily obtained in a puppet stage whichcomprises a platform having a relatively large aperture therethrough anda plurality of support members hingedly joined to said platform atspaced locations about the periphery thereof. The support members aremovable between positions parallel to the plane of said platform to aposition generally perpendicular thereto, and they are securable in theperpendicular position to support the platform thereabove when seatedupon a generally horizontal surface.

In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the platform has apolygonal peripheral configuration, and at least two support members arepanels of rectangular peripheral configura- .tion disposed at adjacentsides of the polygon and having widths approximately equal to the lengthof the sides of the polygon to which they are hingedly joined. The stagedesirably has support members disposed about most of its periphery toprovide an enclosure, but two are spaced apart to provide an ,opening tothe area beneath the platform. The support members are preferably hingedto the platform so that they can be folded to a position directlybeneath it and they are most desirably dimensioned so that a relativelyflat structure is pro- .vided when the stage is collapsed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING "FIG. 1 is a plan view of a puppetstage embodying the present invention with the support members inunfolded position and lying in the plane of the platform; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the stage in erected position for use,with the support members secured in positions generally perpendicular tothe platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Turning now in detailto the drawing, a puppet stage embodying the invention is comprised of aplatform, generally designated by the numeral 12, and a multiplicity ofsupport members, generally designated by numerals 20 and 20', joinedthereto about the periphery thereof by hinges 22. The platform 12 has agenerally octagonal configuration with two parallel faces of elongateddimension relative to the other faces, which are essentially equal inlength. A pair of elongated apertures 14 extend in the platform 12parallel to the elongated faces, providing a median strip 16therebetween and a wide border 18 about the periphery of the platform12.

Support members 20, 20 extend from points about the entire periphery ofthe platform 12, except for the face at the rear thereof, which is leftvacant to provide a passageway to the area under the platform 12 whenthe stage is set up. Support member 20 is of somewhat greater width thanthat of support members 20 in order to equal the length of the elongatedface of the octagonal platform 12, and variations may occur among themembers 20.

As shown, the support members 20, 20 are comprised of a peripheral frame24 providing the structural strength therefor with an insert 26 of asuitable material received therein, such as the fabric which isillustrated. Hooks 28 and eyes 30 are cooperatively mounted on adjacentsupport members 20, 20' so that these members can be secured to oneanother in abutting relationship by interengagement of the hooks andeyes. This relationship is illustrated in FIG. 2, in which the stage isdepicted in erected position with the support members 20, 20 supportingthe platform 12. The passageway which results from the omission of asupport member at the rear elongated face of the octagon is visible inthis figure, and it is also apparent that this area is not visible fromthe front and sides of the structure.

Although the illustrated puppet stage has a generally octagonalconfiguration, the shape of the platform may vary considerably and yetremain within the scope of the present invention. A polygon having moreor less than eight sides may be entirely suitable, but generallyplatforms having 4 to 10 sides are preferred. The usable area foroperation afforded by a three-sided stage tends to be disproportionatelysmall, so normally a minimum of four sides is preferable. On the otherhand, structures with more than about 10 sides become unduly complexwithout providing concomitant benefit so that the number of sides willgenerally not exceed 10.

The sides of the polygon (if such a configuration is used) need not beof equal dimension and, as a practical matter, a structure having atleast one elongated face and a wide cooperating support member, such asthat illustrated, may be most desirable. Nevertheless, there is alsosome value in minimizing the number of members of different dimensionsin order to facilitate production and increase the economy ofmanufacture; both of these factors may influence the designs ultimatelyused for the stage.

Although a curvilinear configuration may be employed for the platform,generally a polygonal or modified polygonal configuration is preferred.A curvilinear configuration tends to cause difficulty in adaptingsupport members if there is to be no overhang, particularly when it isdesired to provide a base which is essentially free of gaps betweenadjacent support members secured in supporting position, so as toconceal the puppet operators.

Although the design of the support members hingedly joined to theplatform may also vary considerably, it is most convenient andbeneficial to utilize support members of rectangular configuration.These members should be of such a width that upon securing them in aposition perpendicular to the platform adjacent support members abutagainst one another with a minimum amount of space therebetween. Notonly does this afford the optimum in structural support, but it has theadditional advantage of blocking the interior of the stage from the viewof spectators, enhancing the effectiveness of the production by avoidingdistraction of the audience. When the platform is polygonal, the desiredrelationship of the rectangular support members is obtained when thewidth thereof corresponds to the length of the side of the polygon towhich each is joined. It will be obvious to those skilled in the artthat the specific size and shape of the support members will dependprimarily upon the configuration of the platform.

The length of the support members is quite significant, since thedistance that the platform is supported above the floor or otherhorizontal support surface will depend upon this dimension. To allowmaximum comfort and mobility of the personnel operating the puppetsbeneath the stage, the length of the support members will normally besuch as will permit the operators to stand upright under the platform;this will require that the dimensions of the stage be tailored somewhatto the characteristics of the people who are expected to use it. In thisregard, the devices of the invention could be provided in threedifferent sizes designed to accommodate average size men, women andchildren. Alternatively, a single platform furnished with a number ofsets of interchangeable support members would allow variation in a moreeconomical manner. As an additional possibility, the support members maybe adjustable in length by use of telescoping portions or the like,making it possible to raise and lower the platform to accommodateoperators of any size. It will be appreciated that it is not necessarythat the stage be designed for operation with the personnel in astanding position, and the support members may be shortened if theoperators are to be seated or in a crouched position during operation ofthe puppets.

The support members and platform may be constructed in any suitablemanner and out of any material which provides the necessary level ofstructural strength. They need not all have the same type ofconstruction, and in many cases it will be desirable to construct theplatform from a material or in a 'manner which is different form thatused for the support members. The type of construction and materialsused, however, should be chosen so that the puppet stage is as light aspossible in order to achieve the maximum degree of portability andconvenience. The various members may comprise peripheral frames with acovering or insert of a relatively light weight, and preferably opaque,material such as paper, cardboard, fabrics, and the like, and provisionmay be made for the substitution of a variety of decorative inserts ifdesired. The frames may be constructed of suitably dimensioned woodenboards or lengths of tubular metal, a particularly suitable metal forthis use being aluminum.

Since a frame and panel insert type of construction will normally resultin thick sections, unitary panels of a relatively rigid and sturdystructural material may be advantageous in providing stages which foldas compactly as possible. Suitable materials for this type ofconstruction include aluminum, fiberboard, synthetic plastics, andsimilar materials exhibiting desirable strength-to-weight ratios.Synthetic plastics are readily fabricated, such as by molding orextruding, and a unitary member may be provided by molding, cutting orstamping the platform and support members from a single sheet of plasticor in a single molding operation. In such a structure, the orientabilityof polypropylene or the polyallomers conveniently provides the hirigeaction necessary at the junctures of the platform and support members.The plastics may also be filled with various materials, if desired, toopacify or strengthen them, or to enhance the economy of the product.

The type of hinge utilized to join the support members with the platformis relatively unimportant so long as it allows the support member to bemoved between a position parallel to the plane of the platform to aposition generally perpendicular thereto. Although in H6. 1 of thedrawing the assembly is shown with the support members extendingoutwardly from the periphery of the platform in the plane thereof forpurposes of clarity of illustration, it is not essential that the hingesbe designed to allow that degree of movement. The hinges must beconstructed and mounted so that the support members can extend inoverlying relationship with the platform and parallel to the planethereof, and so that the support members are also capable of movement toa position perpendicular to the platform.

Most desirably, the hinges are capable of pivoting through an anglelimited to 90 since the resistance to further pivotal movement willenhance the stability provided by the support members in theperpendicular position. The hinges illustrated are of the piano hingetype, but it is not necessary to have a single hinge extending along theentire length of the joint and a series of smaller hinges may besubstituted for each of the large hinges. The hinges may also be of atype which is readily disassembled since it may be desirable tofacilitate separation of the support members from the platform and toallow substitution of support members of a different length.

As has been indicated, it is necessary that the support members besecurable in a position perpendicular to the plane of the platform. Thecooperating hooks and eyes illustrated in the drawing are economical,effective means for this purpose, although other types of devices forlocking adjacent support members together may be used. Moreover, themeans used may be of a more permanent nature rather than readilydisengageable, and screws, bolts or the like may be used as a means ofmore permanently securing the support members in the perpendicularsupport position. Adjacent support members need not be secured togetherin order to maintain the support position, and, for example, rightangular or diagonal braces behind the individual support membersdesigned to support them against the platform without undue obstructionthereunder, may be a suitable alternative.

From the standpoint of obstructing view into the interior of the puppetstage, it is best to provide such members about the entire periphery ofthe stage, but such an arrangement is possible only if one of thesupport members can be displaced or is otherwise designed to allowaccess to the area under the platform. More conveniently, a space isprovided at the rear of the stage, such as by spacing two supportmembers apart as illustrated, and providing such an opening at the rearof the stage is generally satisfactory since the spectators normallyobserve only the front and sides thereof.

The number and design of the apertures in the platform are subject towide variation, and will depend principally upon the shape of eachplatform. The two apertures provided in the platform of the illustratedstage are well suited to an elongated polygonal configuration since theypermit the puppets to be operated with a great deal of freedom ofmovement and yet provide sufficient surface area for scenery, props andthe like. However, there may be provided additional apertures or slotsin the median strip or by providing additional holes in the wideperipheral border. The aperture design which is most appropriate in eachcase will be apparent to those skilled in the art, but an optimumbalance should be sought to provide sufficient freedom of movement ofthe puppets, adequate voice projection, enough surface area for scenery,props, etc. and sufficient structural strength. It should be appreciatedthat further modification of the platform is also possible and, forexample, the platform may itself consist of two or more sections whichare hingedly joined together, to further enhance the compactness of thefolded structure.

It will be apparent that the stage of the present invention is readilyportable and at the same time provides a structure of adequate strengthfor its intended purpose. Due to its relatively lightweight and itsability to be collapsed to a relatively small size, the stage isparticularly convenient to use and inexpensive and simple tomanufacture. Access to the area under the platform is readily achievedand personnel operating the puppets can do so in relative comfort. Thestage may be augmented with auxiliary structures, such as props,scenery, backdrops, and the like, and it may be provided with suitablehardware, etc., when needed for attaching or supporting this type ofequipment.

I claim:

l. A self-supporting collapsible puppet stage comprising: a platformhaving a relatively large aperture dimensioned and configured to permitfree movement of the hand of an operator therethrough to render a majorportion of the upper surface of said platform accessible to the operatorfrom a position thereunder; a plurality of relatively rigid supportmembers that are substantially equal in length and are hingedly joinedat their upper ends about the periphery and adjacent the edge of saidplatform; and means disengageably securing said support members in aposition generally perpendicular to said platform, said support membershaving free lower ends resting upon a generally horizontal surface tosupport said platform' thereabove in a generally horizontal plane and,upon disengagement of said securing means, being freely pivotable abouttheir points of joinder to said platform to positions generally parallelthereto, to render said stage collapsible, said platform and supportmembers being dimensioned and configured to enable the operator toposition himself entirely within the area cooperatively defined thereby,with said support members when in said perpendicular positioncooperating to tend to conceal the operator from the view of personslocated at a fixed lateral position relative to said stage.

2. The stage of claim 1 wherein said platform has a polygonal peripheralconfiguration.

3. The stage of claim 2 wherein the peripheral configuration of saidplatform is generally octagonal.

4. The stage of claim 2 wherein said support members are of rectangularperipheral configuration.

5. The stage of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said support members arejoined to said platform in adjacent positions and wherein at least twoof said members are spaced apart to provide an opening to the areabeneath said platform when said members are secured in saidperpendicular positions.

6. The stage of claim 1 wherein said platform and support members areintegrally formed of synthetic plastic material providing an integralhinge therebetween.

1. A self-supporting collapsible puppet stage comprising: a platformhaving a relatively large aperture dimensioned and configured to permitfree movement of the hand of an operator therethrough to render a majorportion of the upper surface of said platform accessible to the operatorfrom a position thereunder; a plurality of relatively rigid supportmembers that are substantially equal in length and are hingedly joinedat their upper ends about the periphery and adjacent the edge of saidplatform; and means disengageably securing said support members in aposition generally perpendicular to said platform, said support membershaving free lower ends resting upon a generally horizontal surface tosupport said platform thereabove in a generally horizontal plane and,upon disengagement of said securing means, being freely pivotable abouttheir points of joinder to said platform to positions generally parallelthereto, to render said stage collapsible, said platform and supportmembers being dimensioned and configured to enable the operator toposition himself entirely within the area cooperatively defined thereby,with said support members when in said perpendicular positioncooperating to tend to conceal the operator from the view of personslocated at a fixed lateral position relative to said stage.
 2. The stageof claim 1 wherein said platform has a polygonal peripheralconfiguration.
 3. The stage of claim 2 wherein the peripheralconfiguration of said platform is generally octagonal.
 4. The stage ofclaim 2 wherein said support members are of rectangular peripheralconfiguration.
 5. The stage of claim 1 wherein a plurality of saidsupport members are joined to said platform in adjacent positions andwherein at least two of said members are spaced apart to provide anopening to the area beneath said platform when said members are securedin said perpendicular positions.
 6. The stage of claim 1 wherein saidplatform and support members are integrally formed of synthetic plasticmaterial providing an integral hinge therebetween.